The latest in a series of efforts by Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton to improve water quality in Minnesota, the “25 by ’25” goal, would engage local governments, businesses, farmers, scientists, and others in a new collaborative effort to restore and improve water quality 25 percent by 2025. More than 40 percent of Minnesota’s waters are listed as polluted or impaired, and water infrastructure needs over the next 20 years are estimated to total $11 billion. According to the state, setting this achievable but ambitious goal would significantly improve water quality and make them more swimmable, fishable, and drinkable for future generations.
If approved, the initiative will not add to regulations, but will be a “call to action” for public engagement and partnerships. The goal has built-in flexibility to allow each of Minnesota’s eight local watershed regions to decide how to address pollutants, and which ones to address.
More information about all of Governor Dayton’s proposed investments in clean, affordable water can be found here.
